functionalism and the new right glossary

Question 1

social stratification

Answer 1

the hierarchial organisation of individuals into different social ranks or classes to ensure important societal roles are filled by the most qualified

Question 2

value consensus

Answer 2

a general agreement on norms, values and beliefs, essential for maintaining social order and cohesion

Question 3

role allocation

Answer 3

the process which individuals are shifted and sorted into roles within society based on talents and abilities with institutions like education playing a key hole

Question 4

meritocracy

Answer 4

a system where social statud and rewards are distubted based on individual merit, ensuring that the most capable occupy important roles

Question 5

social solidarity

Answer 5

the sense of unity and shared purpose among members of society, crucial for social stability and order

Question 6

organic analogy

Answer 6

the comparison of society to a living organism, where each part functions to maintain the stability and health of the whole

Question 7

social order

Answer 7

the structured and organised state of society maintained through the functioning of social institutions and value consensuses

Question 8

socialisation

Answer 8

the process through which individuals learn and internalise the values norms and behaviours appropriately to their society, to maintain social order

Question 9

dependency culture

Answer 9

a situation where individuals rely on state welfare rather than working, leading to a lack of self reliance and a “perversed” incentive

Question 10

marketisation

Answer 10

the key to raising standards, where schools, colleges and universities should compete for costumers (students) in a free market
- e.g, SATS and OFSTED reports are put in place to help governments moniter schools and raise standards

Question 11

underclass

Answer 11

a social group characterised by long term depency on welfare, unemployment, and deviant norms, viewed as a threat to social stability

Question 12

specialised division of labour

Answer 12

the way in which work is divided into specialised tasks and roles, within a society or organisation, which functionalists believe increases efficiency and social cohesion

Question 13

functions

Answer 13

the roles or purposes that various social institutions and structures serve in maintaining the stability and operation of society

Question 14

functional prerequisites

Answer 14

the basic needs that must be met for society to survive and function effective, such as socialisation, role allocation and social order